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Hope Herring #1
Silver Linings
After unexpectedly losing her husband, Hope Herring and her daughter, Cori, leave their home and move away to start over in a new town. With a heavy heart, a new house, a new job, and a new community, Hope is trying to settle in when she is reluctantly drawn into two mysteries. Will Hope and Cori find the clues to a killer before he or she strikes again?
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First published April 15, 2020
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About the author
J.A. Whiting
168 books319 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author and Amazon All Star, J A Whiting is the author of over 100 cozy mysteries. She lives with her family in Massachusetts. Whiting loves spending time with family, reading, traveling, cycling, following New England sports teams, exercising, and being outdoors.
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For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 2, 2021
I am definitely a fan of our main character Hope on this book. I enjoyed the story immensely and have already purchased the second in the series I do enjoy cozy mysteries as long as they are entertaining and not "out there". This book does have a ghost in it but it was absolutely entertaining and a great little read.
February 2, 2021
2021 bk 23. Another contemporary mystery, this time a young widow and her daughter pull up stakes and move south, purchasing a haunted house. Hope has a new teaching job lined up in the fall, but wants something to help with the budget and keep her busy for the rest of the summer. Spotting a bakery in their small town, Hope auditions for the spot by baking a wedding cake, and is hired. this commits her daughter to a summer at the public library. When their resident ghost catches Hope's attention, she agrees to investigate the mystery surrounding his murder, which means the daughter at the library does the historical research while Hope gets to gossip with the town's residents. This book is chockfull of mysteries, of the historic and contemporary, new people, enchanting subcharacters, good editing, good plots, and all of the elements required by E. A. Poe's rules!
August 2, 2020
by Barbara Kelley
This is book 1 in a new series co-written by J. A. Whiting and Nell McCarthy (a good old Irish name, if I do say so myself).
Hope Herring and her 13-year-old daughter, Cori, have suffered a tragic loss in the death of Doug Herring, Hope's husband and Cori's dad. Doug Herring was an investigative journalist working on an assignment of gangs in Ohio, where his family lived. His death in a car accident is ruled as exactly that. . .an accident. However, Hope is not convinced. This is mystery #1.
Several months after Doug's death, Hope and Cori move from Ohio to North Carolina, where they encounter two additional mysteries. The first new mystery is "Who murdered Maximillian Johnson a hundred years ago." Maximillian (Max) was the man who built the "new-old" house that Hope and Cori bought. Hope can see and hear Max. He wants her to find out who murdered him. The second new mystery is "Who killed the groom" at a reception that Hope and Cori attend, and Hope baked the cake. By the end of the book, only 1 of the 3 mysteries is solved: the one of "who killed the groom." However, Hope promises Max that she will not stop investigating his murder until she can reveal his killer; and I know that Hope will continue investigating her husband's death.
I have read three completely different series by J. A. Whiting (Sweet Cove Cozy Mysteries; Lin Coffin Cozy Mysteries; and Claire Rollins Cozy Mysteries). I recently read and reviewed The Haunted Hotel, the most recent episode of the Lin Coffin mysteries. Another Claire Rollins mystery is coming out in September 2020. I hope to see future Sweet Cove mysteries, because of the 4 sisters in that series, Courtney and her boyfriend Rufus, as well as Ellie and her boyfriend Jack, have not gotten married or had kids. I'm hoping Rufus is going to wind up magical, also, because he mentioned how magical the Roseland sisters are.
I knew from reading the other series, what to expect in this new series, when Hope felt a "chill" in the air on a hot day: be on the lookout for a ghost. This happens in the Lin Coffin series, also.
I gave this first book of the series a 5 star rating and would have given it more, if I could have. I have the next book in the series, Blood Moon, in my kindle and will be reading it as soon as I finish another book that I have started. Sometimes, I read more than one book at a time. I'm 65 years old, and it amazes me that I can still read 2 or 3 things at the same time and still understand each book. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did.
This is book 1 in a new series co-written by J. A. Whiting and Nell McCarthy (a good old Irish name, if I do say so myself).
Hope Herring and her 13-year-old daughter, Cori, have suffered a tragic loss in the death of Doug Herring, Hope's husband and Cori's dad. Doug Herring was an investigative journalist working on an assignment of gangs in Ohio, where his family lived. His death in a car accident is ruled as exactly that. . .an accident. However, Hope is not convinced. This is mystery #1.
Several months after Doug's death, Hope and Cori move from Ohio to North Carolina, where they encounter two additional mysteries. The first new mystery is "Who murdered Maximillian Johnson a hundred years ago." Maximillian (Max) was the man who built the "new-old" house that Hope and Cori bought. Hope can see and hear Max. He wants her to find out who murdered him. The second new mystery is "Who killed the groom" at a reception that Hope and Cori attend, and Hope baked the cake. By the end of the book, only 1 of the 3 mysteries is solved: the one of "who killed the groom." However, Hope promises Max that she will not stop investigating his murder until she can reveal his killer; and I know that Hope will continue investigating her husband's death.
I have read three completely different series by J. A. Whiting (Sweet Cove Cozy Mysteries; Lin Coffin Cozy Mysteries; and Claire Rollins Cozy Mysteries). I recently read and reviewed The Haunted Hotel, the most recent episode of the Lin Coffin mysteries. Another Claire Rollins mystery is coming out in September 2020. I hope to see future Sweet Cove mysteries, because of the 4 sisters in that series, Courtney and her boyfriend Rufus, as well as Ellie and her boyfriend Jack, have not gotten married or had kids. I'm hoping Rufus is going to wind up magical, also, because he mentioned how magical the Roseland sisters are.
I knew from reading the other series, what to expect in this new series, when Hope felt a "chill" in the air on a hot day: be on the lookout for a ghost. This happens in the Lin Coffin series, also.
I gave this first book of the series a 5 star rating and would have given it more, if I could have. I have the next book in the series, Blood Moon, in my kindle and will be reading it as soon as I finish another book that I have started. Sometimes, I read more than one book at a time. I'm 65 years old, and it amazes me that I can still read 2 or 3 things at the same time and still understand each book. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did.
August 3, 2020
This was an quick-read cozy with at least three mysteries swirling. Only one is definitively solved but the other two are sure to be part of an extended plot line and there are no cliffhangers.
April 2, 2021
Quick, light mystery
March 28, 2023
I read this one quickly and enjoyed it! It was well-written with an interesting plot. As usual, the lead female character tries to solve a murder, endangering her and others. I usually hate this plotline but somehow this felt right. The addition of the ghost with an unsolved murder was interesting. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Amazon synopsis:
After unexpectedly losing her husband, Hope Herring and her daughter, Cori, leave their home and move away to start over in a new town. With a heavy heart, a new house, a new job, and a new community, Hope is trying to settle in when she is reluctantly drawn into two mysteries. Will Hope and Cori find the clues to a killer before he or she strikes again?
Amazon synopsis:
After unexpectedly losing her husband, Hope Herring and her daughter, Cori, leave their home and move away to start over in a new town. With a heavy heart, a new house, a new job, and a new community, Hope is trying to settle in when she is reluctantly drawn into two mysteries. Will Hope and Cori find the clues to a killer before he or she strikes again?
October 26, 2023
I hesitated only a moment when I thought whether or not I would begin this new-to-me series, because I have a fairly long list of other books I “need” to read. Several of those books are newly released in series’ I’ve read. For instance, Book 33 of a 36 book series by Tonya Kappes called “Witness, Woods, & Wedding (A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series Book 33)” was just released today, 10/26/23 and I’ve already read the previous 32. I have several books that catch up on the latest news with various series’s.
So, I guess the other books are going to have to be shelved until I finish this series, because based on this first one “Silver Linings”, I know I’ll truly enjoy riding along in this new adventure. I like so much that there’s a ghost involved! I actually didn’t read what this book was about, so I had no idea. The reasons I chose to start it were because of the book’s cover art, the high star ratings, the author I’d read a book by before that I liked, and also because I wanted to start something new rather than continuing with previous stories.
I’m glad I made this decision. How it went... Hope Herring’s husband recently died in a mysterious car crash that was deemed accident by the coroner. Hope feels something sinister may have been involved, but decides she no longer wants to be surrounded by her memories of her 15 year marriage to her late husband and she makes the tough decision to move across the country from Columbus, Ohio to Castle Park, North Carolina and of course she brought along her daughter Cori.
Hope has bought a 100 year old house prior to their move and while unpacking she is hearing strange noises, a man’s voice, and other odd things happen like when her daughter asks Hope who is in their house because she’d seen a man with his back turned toward her.
Hope is a teacher, but is currently on summer break and since she needs income before school starts, she takes up a job as the baker in bakery. While at a wedding reception she has baked the cake for, someone very important in the wedding party keels over with unknown reason.
Hope is intelligent and has an investigative mind and is determined to figure out how the person died and who killed them. Her detective skills are are also called to be used in solving a century old crime. And there’s also the mystery behind her late husband’s death that she plans to look into. Hope has a full plate, but her determination and help from her internet intelligent daughter will cause her to help with at least one crime.
I was annoyed by Hope’s unwillingness to accept that she wasn’t hallucinating when she heard the voice. It took quite a bit of convincing for her to admit the truth of the matter and I was so happy when she did. I think now is the time to tell Cori though. I’m hoping that in the next book Cori finds out the same info that Hope knows, otherwise I’ll go nuts!
Next is Book 2 “Blood Moon”.
So, I guess the other books are going to have to be shelved until I finish this series, because based on this first one “Silver Linings”, I know I’ll truly enjoy riding along in this new adventure. I like so much that there’s a ghost involved! I actually didn’t read what this book was about, so I had no idea. The reasons I chose to start it were because of the book’s cover art, the high star ratings, the author I’d read a book by before that I liked, and also because I wanted to start something new rather than continuing with previous stories.
I’m glad I made this decision. How it went... Hope Herring’s husband recently died in a mysterious car crash that was deemed accident by the coroner. Hope feels something sinister may have been involved, but decides she no longer wants to be surrounded by her memories of her 15 year marriage to her late husband and she makes the tough decision to move across the country from Columbus, Ohio to Castle Park, North Carolina and of course she brought along her daughter Cori.
Hope has bought a 100 year old house prior to their move and while unpacking she is hearing strange noises, a man’s voice, and other odd things happen like when her daughter asks Hope who is in their house because she’d seen a man with his back turned toward her.
Hope is a teacher, but is currently on summer break and since she needs income before school starts, she takes up a job as the baker in bakery. While at a wedding reception she has baked the cake for, someone very important in the wedding party keels over with unknown reason.
Hope is intelligent and has an investigative mind and is determined to figure out how the person died and who killed them. Her detective skills are are also called to be used in solving a century old crime. And there’s also the mystery behind her late husband’s death that she plans to look into. Hope has a full plate, but her determination and help from her internet intelligent daughter will cause her to help with at least one crime.
I was annoyed by Hope’s unwillingness to accept that she wasn’t hallucinating when she heard the voice. It took quite a bit of convincing for her to admit the truth of the matter and I was so happy when she did. I think now is the time to tell Cori though. I’m hoping that in the next book Cori finds out the same info that Hope knows, otherwise I’ll go nuts!
Next is Book 2 “Blood Moon”.
October 6, 2024
This is the first book in a series about Hope Herring and her daughter Cori. When Hope's husband dies in a car crash, she's devastated. The coroner rules it an accident, but she's not sure. However, she certainly can't prove it was more than that. She and her daughter leave Columbus, Ohio, and move to Castle Park, North Carolina. She plans to teach social studies and start a new life. She moves into a 100-year-old Victorian. Others think it's haunted, but Hope pays no attention to superstition. That's until Max reveals himself as the resident ghost. He built the home and was murdered there. His one goal before passing on is to find his killer. Once Hope accepts that Max is real and not a figment, she agrees to help.
However, she also needs to make some money before school starts. So, she gets a part-time job in a local bakery as the cake maker. When a groom dies after taking a bite of one of her cakes, she feels the need to find the real killer.
I enjoyed the book. I don't usually like books that have elements of the supernatural but Max adds to the story and doesn't distract from the present day murder or happenings.
I also liked the relationship between Hope and her daughter. Too many times teen-aged daughters are written as brats or angels. Cori is neither. She just comes across as a regular girl who's trying to get over the loss of her father and adapting to life in a new town.
However, she also needs to make some money before school starts. So, she gets a part-time job in a local bakery as the cake maker. When a groom dies after taking a bite of one of her cakes, she feels the need to find the real killer.
I enjoyed the book. I don't usually like books that have elements of the supernatural but Max adds to the story and doesn't distract from the present day murder or happenings.
I also liked the relationship between Hope and her daughter. Too many times teen-aged daughters are written as brats or angels. Cori is neither. She just comes across as a regular girl who's trying to get over the loss of her father and adapting to life in a new town.
October 4, 2023
I believe this is the first book by JA Whiting that I read where she co-wrote with someone else, and I think it’s definitely a great choice!
This book had similar vibes to the author’s solo projects, but also a different depth that I can associate with an additional voice. While I enjoy the super cosy vibes of past series I read, I really loved this first book as well.
Hope is a fun character, often her internal dialogue would make me giggle, especially when the paranormal stuff starts happening. Which was a great addition to the story, I can see myself not being too interested in the whole
Cori is quite nice too, and I like the relationship between mother and daughter, and their banter. I tend to prefer stories where the MC is young and single, so Hope being with a child and widowed didn’t sound super up my alley, but it’s been enjoyable nonetheless.
The mystery was super easy to solve, but provided some lovely entertainment and also some tension at the end.
The next in the series is set around Halloween, so I will wait to read it closer to the end of October.
This book had similar vibes to the author’s solo projects, but also a different depth that I can associate with an additional voice. While I enjoy the super cosy vibes of past series I read, I really loved this first book as well.
Hope is a fun character, often her internal dialogue would make me giggle, especially when the paranormal stuff starts happening. Which was a great addition to the story, I can see myself not being too interested in the whole
Cori is quite nice too, and I like the relationship between mother and daughter, and their banter. I tend to prefer stories where the MC is young and single, so Hope being with a child and widowed didn’t sound super up my alley, but it’s been enjoyable nonetheless.
The mystery was super easy to solve, but provided some lovely entertainment and also some tension at the end.
The next in the series is set around Halloween, so I will wait to read it closer to the end of October.
November 3, 2020
New Beginnings
I found this on KU and already am a fan of this author so couldn’t wait to dig in to this one.
Hope and her daughter Cora are going through a tragic change after her husband’s death, and the circumstances are mysterious to her. She packed up her daughter and moved away to escape the reminders of her heartbreaking memories.
This book has so many storylines going that it became too rushed. The book should have stuck with one mystery at a time instead of squeezing 3. The ending was abrupt just when I was enjoying the mystery of Max the former owner of the house she currently resides.
I found this on KU and already am a fan of this author so couldn’t wait to dig in to this one.
Hope and her daughter Cora are going through a tragic change after her husband’s death, and the circumstances are mysterious to her. She packed up her daughter and moved away to escape the reminders of her heartbreaking memories.
This book has so many storylines going that it became too rushed. The book should have stuck with one mystery at a time instead of squeezing 3. The ending was abrupt just when I was enjoying the mystery of Max the former owner of the house she currently resides.
July 26, 2023
Ghost to the Rescue
"After unexpectedly losing her husband, Hope Herring and her daughter, Cori, leave their home and move away to start over in a new town. With a heavy heart, a new house, a new job, and a new community, Hope is trying to settle in when she is reluctantly drawn into two mysteries. Will Hope and Cori find the clues to a killer before he or she strikes again?"
The ghost was the best thing to have happened to her.He knocked the culprit out. I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
"After unexpectedly losing her husband, Hope Herring and her daughter, Cori, leave their home and move away to start over in a new town. With a heavy heart, a new house, a new job, and a new community, Hope is trying to settle in when she is reluctantly drawn into two mysteries. Will Hope and Cori find the clues to a killer before he or she strikes again?"
The ghost was the best thing to have happened to her.He knocked the culprit out. I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
October 29, 2022
House Ghost
Hope's husband is killed in an automobile accident, she and her daughter Cori move to a new town. The house that they moved into has a ghost in it. Max wants them to figure out who killed him over 100 years ago. In the mean time Hope goes to work for the bakery. Hope makes the cake for a wedding the groom dies at the reception, now Hope has a second murder to solve. Good story interesting characters.
Hope's husband is killed in an automobile accident, she and her daughter Cori move to a new town. The house that they moved into has a ghost in it. Max wants them to figure out who killed him over 100 years ago. In the mean time Hope goes to work for the bakery. Hope makes the cake for a wedding the groom dies at the reception, now Hope has a second murder to solve. Good story interesting characters.
August 23, 2024
I liked this cozy quite a lot. Hope Herring was very happily married when the devasting news came to her reporter husband had died in a single car accident. As a result she pulled up roots and left Columbus, OH for a small town in NC. She bought an old house that in due time she learned was actually haunted. This had something of a Ghost and Mrs. Muir vibe which I liked very much. I plan to read the rest of the series.
June 20, 2020
Changes
Hope and her daughter Cori have moved to North Carolina after the loss of their husband and father. This is such a good book and I hope the series will be long. I loved the locations in the book and could readily identify with them as we lived in this area for ten years. The characters are interesting, and who wouldn't love to live with a ghost.
Hope and her daughter Cori have moved to North Carolina after the loss of their husband and father. This is such a good book and I hope the series will be long. I loved the locations in the book and could readily identify with them as we lived in this area for ten years. The characters are interesting, and who wouldn't love to live with a ghost.
June 6, 2020
A nice start with interesting characters even if it took me a while to like the paranormal elements. Often the latter is enough for me to put a book down, but this was handled okay. Definitely awaiting the sequel.
June 24, 2020
Wonderful book
I could not out this book down! Great characters and story. I was hoping to read more but they are not in KindleUnlimited. I am retired and can only get books that are available I I limited in my Kindle subscription.
I could not out this book down! Great characters and story. I was hoping to read more but they are not in KindleUnlimited. I am retired and can only get books that are available I I limited in my Kindle subscription.
July 21, 2020
Loved it!
This was a really good book. I love this author’s books. I’m a huge fan of ghost stories! Silver Linings was well written, great characters, and a fine plot! I’m already looking for the next book!
This was a really good book. I love this author’s books. I’m a huge fan of ghost stories! Silver Linings was well written, great characters, and a fine plot! I’m already looking for the next book!
September 18, 2020
Great Mystery
I absolutely loved this book. It is very well written and certainly holds your attention. Very hard to put down. I can't wait to read he next book in the series. Highly recommend this series or any of J. A. Whitney's series/books.
I absolutely loved this book. It is very well written and certainly holds your attention. Very hard to put down. I can't wait to read he next book in the series. Highly recommend this series or any of J. A. Whitney's series/books.
October 30, 2020
Very enjoyable reading
Liked the story plot and the characters. The characters all have realistic personalities and are introduced into the story well. I wanted to get the next book in the series to see how all the lives of each character plays out
Liked the story plot and the characters. The characters all have realistic personalities and are introduced into the story well. I wanted to get the next book in the series to see how all the lives of each character plays out
November 17, 2020
I hope there will be lots more books in this series. I really liked the characters, especially the mother-daughter relationship. I don’t usually like the paranormal books but this one was done in a good way.
December 5, 2020
This was the first time I’ve read anything by J.A. whiting but it won’t be the last. I’m wondering if characters from this first book are carried to the next. I look forward to reading the Hope Herring #2
May 22, 2021
Loved it
I love all of Whiting's books. The reason they moved was sad and it's smart she wants to start over in a new place. I was surprised by the ghost and loved the realistic description of him.
I love all of Whiting's books. The reason they moved was sad and it's smart she wants to start over in a new place. I was surprised by the ghost and loved the realistic description of him.
February 18, 2024
Hope is in a new town, new house shortly after the death of her husband. A fun book of trying to cope with all these changes with her 12 year old daughter isn't enough there are more adjustments she needs to make.
November 1, 2024
It took me a bit to get into the story, actually I enjoyed the setup but kept waiting for the mystery to start. Once it did, it seemed to be resolved in a flash. I think I will try book 2 to see where it goes.
April 16, 2020
This book is a great start of a new series by JA Whiting. It grabs you at the very beginning and had several mysteries that need to be solved.
April 18, 2020
Fast read. Interesting characters. Warning..there are three mysteries, but only one is solved in this book.
August 25, 2020
I really love the characters in this story. The story was so well written that it was easy to read. This will make you want more. Great Reading Everyone!
December 11, 2020
An amazing story
Another hit series for J A Waiting . I loved this book, I love all J A Writings books. This book had a great story line and a ghost. A must read.
Another hit series for J A Waiting . I loved this book, I love all J A Writings books. This book had a great story line and a ghost. A must read.
December 22, 2020
Storyline: 7
Setting: 7
Characters: 7
Conclusion: well, the story was too short, and rushed at the end. But the relationship between Hope and Cori was wonderful!
Setting: 7
Characters: 7
Conclusion: well, the story was too short, and rushed at the end. But the relationship between Hope and Cori was wonderful!
July 17, 2021
Really enjoyed it and now on to the next one in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews